Posts in "Comic-Con"

July 27, 2015

SAN DIEGO — Cartoon Network “Regular Show” writer Patrick Baker once dreamed of running for higher office. He realizes, though, that his reframing of history in “The Presidential Dickerbook” — a satirical examination of the most egregious actions of our all-too-flawed commanders in chief — makes that unlikely.

The fully illustrated guide, which popped onto the scene on July 3 and was on full display here at Comic-Con 2015, takes the measure of each POTUS at his lowest points and ranks them on Baker’s proprietary dickometer. “My mind was [on] how many people died as a result of you being rough,” Baker told HOH about his personal yardstick.

July 17, 2015

SAN DIEGO — What’s a 19-year-old political neophyte to do after getting propelled into the Oval Office by a viral video-obsessed electorate? The short answer is anything and everything satirist Mark Russell can throw at her in his reboot of the civic-minded comic, “Prez.”

(Courtesy DC Comics)

DC Comics originally toyed with the concept of how an underage POTUS might operate back in 1973 with “Prez: First Teen President;” the short-lived experiment was unceremoniously pulled from spinner racks after just four issues. A lot’s happened since then. Full story

July 15, 2015

When “Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice” explodes onto the big screen next spring, Sen. Patrick J. Leahy will most likely be able to once again watch himself contribute to the mythology of his favorite caped crusader.

The Vermont Democrat, a diehard comic book fan, has appeared in four prior Batman movies dating back to Val Kilmer’s lone turn behind the mask in “Batman Forever.”

Leahy seems to be in the mix for director Zack Snyder’s bid to unite DC Comics’ pantheon of heroes a la Marvel’s mega successful “Avengers” series, appearing (ever so briefly) in the trailer released on July 11 in conjunction with Comic-Con International.

In the blink-and-you’ll-miss-him spot, Leahy is shown huddling with actress Holly Hunter, whose yet-to-be-revealed character — she’s shown leading a congressional hearing at which Superman is questioned, and is referred to as “senator” by Jessie Eisenberg’s Lex Luthor in a subsequent scene — appears to hold significant sway over the story.

Per staff, Leahy contributes all fees and residuals received from his appearances in the vigilante flicks to the children’s wing of the Kellogg-Hubbard Library in Montpelier, Vt. — the place his 4-year-old self first secured a library card.

SAN DIEGO — Some 50-plus years since committing to drag a deeply divided nation toward a brighter tomorrow, Rep. John Lewis recently turned not to well-heeled donors or seasoned pols for help, but to a roomful of children.

(Warren Rojas/CQ Roll Call)

“When you see something that is not right, you must disturb the order of things,” the Georgia Democrat implored the hundreds of kids who gathered on July 12 at the Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation to hear from the visiting civil rights icon.

Lewis, in town to promote the second installment of his autobiographical graphic novel, “March,” at Comic-Con International, spoke to a group of at-risk youths who live in a world far removed from the pop culture spectacle. Full story

July 13, 2015

SAN DIEGO – Rep. John Lewis not only dressed as a revolutionary leader during his second appearance at Comic-Con International, he behaved like one — seizing the opportunity to shape young minds by taking the future firmly in his hands.

(Warren Rojas/CQ Roll Call)

The Georgia Democrat returned to the pop culture smorgasbord on July 11 to promote the second installment of his illustrated biography, “March.” Lewis co-wrote the ongoing series of graphic novels, which chronicle the life-threatening situations he often found himself in throughout the civil rights era, with right-hand man Andrew Aydin.

(Warren Rojas/CQ Roll Call)

The duo has been working for several years now with artist Nate Powell on a trilogy of books detailing Lewis’ ongoing crusade to vanquish inequality, an arduous journey that’s routinely visited pain and suffering upon the 15-term lawmaker’s person but has never succeeded in crushing his spirit.

July 12, 2015

SAN DIEGO – Could the (fury) road to the White House one day lead through Comic-Con?

Mario Prado, a printing wiz currently smitten with 2016 presidential hopeful Sen. Bernard Sanders, doesn’t see that as such an absurd proposition.

(Warren Rojas/CQ Roll Call)

“Comic-Con attracts a lot of nerds. Nerds are very much on top of politics,” the printing shop owner told CQ Roll Call of his decision to stump for the Vermont independent.

Prado erected an eye-catching depiction of the populist pol facing off against the conservative Koch brothers in a Mad Max-like landscape along a heavily traveled crosswalk just outside the bustling entertainment hub. That, coupled with the fire engine-red T-shirt he wore in support of “Bernie Man” — showing Sanders’ signature shock of white hair replaced by flaming coiffure — drew in passersby, many of whom Prado said were not all that familiar with the veteran pol. Full story

July 10, 2015

Nothing against the fine people of Iowa, New Hampshire and the handful of other electoral proving grounds aspiring commanders in chief crisscross for months on end leading up to Election Day, but pols are doing themselves a serious disservice by not pressing the flesh at Comic-Con International in San Diego.

(Warren Rojas/CQ Roll Call File Photo)

Sure, pop culture can prove problematic for the socially awkward.

But the breathtaking number of fanboy-stoking panels and geek grrl-courting exhibitions virtually guarantees even the lamest lawmaker should be able to tap into some hero-seeking constituency.

Which is why HOH is putting out this FOMO alert to all myopic campaign managers.

July 9, 2015

Dressing as one’s favorite fictional character is part of the allure of attending Comic-Con International. Come Saturday, Rep. John Lewis intends to get into the spirit of things by giving dedicated cosplayers a peek at what real heroes wear into battle.

(CQ Roll Call Photo Illustration)

The Georgia Democrat is returning to the fantasy fest to educate attendees about “March,” a three-part series of graphic novels chronicling his decades-long fight for equality.

Instead of donning form-fitting spandex or fetishistic leather gear, Lewis aide and “March” co-author Andrew Aydin tells HOH the 15-term lawmaker plans to recreate the outfit he wore to soldier across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in early 1965. Full story

July 8, 2015

While he’s sure to spend his fair share of time alongside the crush of costumed characters invading this year’s Comic-Con International, Rep. John Lewis has also carved out time this weekend to stoke the next generation of social activists.

(Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call File Photo)

The Georgia Democrat is expected to make the rounds Saturday and Sunday in San Diego to help promote “March: Book Two,” the continuation of a planned three-part series of graphic novels he first unveiled two summers ago.

While many of the other featured guests are unlikely to step foot outside the cavernous main hall, the 15-term lawmaker is scheduled Sunday to address some 250 local children gathered together by the Elementary Institute of Science. Full story

July 7, 2015

Attending Comic-Con International can certainly be about granting the imagination carte blanche to explore every fevered dream and act out the most outlandish childhood fantasies.

But there also exist opportunities — albeit typically overshadowed by the elaborate cosplaying and relentless corporate focus-testing — to think big thoughts and ruminate about where we’re all headed as a society.

While some will likely devote every waking moment of the weekend-long entertainment blitz (happening Thursday through Sunday) to stalking action movie stars or cable series regulars, many attendees will fill the rows of far-flung meeting rooms reserved for lively socio-political discourse. Full story

The Democratic staffer, who told HOH he attended Awesome Con 2014, has been booked as a featured guest for this year’s show.

“I always enjoy Awesome Con because you get such a great mix of fans. Teachers, librarians, and professionals come out right along with the cosplayers and diehards, and sometimes they are one and the same,” he said of the often otherworldly experience. Full story

The gallantry unfolded right in front of HOH as the two passing acquaintances — “Congressman [John] Lewis and I met Ms. Ross in Chicago when we were all on ‘Windy City Live’ on the same day,” the House aide shared, providing a peek into the star-studded alliance he’s cultivated since helping to pen the Georgia Democrat’s autobiographical graphic novel, “March” — exchanged pleasantries during a White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner shindig.

January 9, 2015

The second act of Georgia Democrat John Lewis’ animated history lesson, “March: Book Two,” portrays some of the grittiest times this nation has ever faced.

(Screenshot)

Lewis — along with co-author and legislative aide Andrew Aydin, and graphic artist Nate Powell — hop right back into the seemingly hopeless situation of attempting to redirect society one incredibly brave step at a time. Full story